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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Alex Lawson and Sandra Laville

Ofwat investigates whether Thames Water dividend is licensing breach

Thames Water sign
Ofwat introduced a licence condition that requires companies to maintain dividend policies and only pay them if they take account of service delivery for customers and the environment. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

The water industry regulator is investigating whether Thames Water has breached the conditions of its licence by paying a dividend, as executives face the prospect of being recalled before MPs over financial concerns.

Announcing half-year results on Tuesday, Thames Water said it had paid a £37.5m dividend from its operating company – which is regulated – that ultimately reached a holding company. Thames said the money was used to service “external debt obligations” of the holding company and one of its subsidiaries.

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